Beach shelter



S. S. LEVY BEACH SHELTER Nov. 1, 1938.

Filed April 21, 1936 g: fly 14 RW Y m w. W R W Y W L f U m 5 4 d E 8 1 t d Ht! Viv.

Patented Nov. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES BEACH SHELTER Samuel S. Levy, Passaic, N. J.

Application April 21,

6 Claims.

This invention relates to shelters or tents adapted for use on beaches or other outdoor places for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the sun and air but obviating the inconveniences of flying sand, insect bites, etc.

The invention has for its primary object the provision of an inexpensive, knock-down structure, wherein the occupants are effectively sheltered from the above mentioned inconveniences and are also afforded a modicum of privacy not ordinarily obtained on crowded beaches or the like.

The invention also contemplates the provision of means for variably shading the occupants from the deleterious effects of excessive exposure to the sun; the provision of means for comfortably accommodating one or more occupants in a reclining position; the provision of simple means for setting up the shelter; the provision of simple means for effectively retaining the shelter against displacement by strong gusts of wind; etc.

In its present preferred form the invention briefly comprises a four post structure suspending a fabric shelter comprising in part walls of scrim, net, or other coarse mesh material and in part durable cloth such as canvas or denim, one of the walls of the shelter being adapted to lie flat as an. extension of the bottom thereof, and being provided with separable fastener means for association with fastener means on the end walls and top of the shelter.

The following description of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing is exemplary of the invention as at present contemplated.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a. shelter incorporating features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a broken elevational View of a post structure.

Fig. 3 is a similar View of an alternate form of post.

Referring to the drawing in greater detail, the shelter or tent comprises a bottom 5 and end Walls 6 either formed of one length of canvas or the like, or of several shorter lengths stitched together to form a durable sand and insect impervious foundation for the shelter. If preferred, at the juncture of the bottom with one or both end walls, a pillow or cushion 1 may be integrally formed, said cushion either being stuffed with feathers, kapok, or the like, or air inflated.

One side wall 8 of the shelter is preferably formed of scrim, net, or other reticulated ma- 1936, Serial No. 75,561

terial, but may be of the same material of the bottom and ends.

The shelter is preferably formed witha top 9 of scrim or net, being permanently secured to the walls 6 and 8. In order to shade all or a portion of the shelter from the sun, end flaps of canvas such as in may be provided, said flaps being adapted to either hang at the end of the shelter as shown at the left of Figure 1, or be superimposed on the top 9 as shown at the right. In this manner, total or partial interceptance of sunlight may be had.

The bottom 5 is preferably formed with an extending panel H which affords increased surface for the accommodation of the shelter occupants when lying flat as shown, or may be raised to fully or partially close the open front of the shelter. For this last purpose, the panel H and end walls 6 may be provided with separable fastener means such as the slide fasteners l2 along complementary and cooperating edges, and the panel H and the top 9 may be similarly treated or provided with the snap fasteners 13. When raised the panel II serves to completely enclose the shell, as can be readily understood.

Since the shelter above described is wholly comprised of pliable fabric material, it is apparent that it may be folded and packed into a relatively small unit for convenience in transportation and storage.

The improved means for supporting the shelter comprises corner posts l4 to which the shelter may be removably fastened as by the tie-backs I5. If desired, these posts may be each provided with a sharpened end l4 adapted to be staked into the beach sand or other soft ground. Although desirable and simple, it has been found that this manner of treating the posts l4 causes them to be of such length as to render them uh, wieldy and incapable of convenient transportation in passenger automobiles. For this reason the posts M are preferably made shorter as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and provided with screw-eyes 16 or the like, adapted for engagement with light, preferably metallic stakes ll having sharpened ends l8 for effective positioning in the sand or ground.

The stakes I! may be each formed with a flange I9 spaced from the point l8 for the two-fold purpose of providing a flat sand surface contacting member for steadying the stake, and as a supporting member for the bottom end of the associated post M as can be seen from Figure 1.

Since the screw-eyes l6 must necessarily fit loosely over the stakes H, the shelter so supported may be bodily lifted as by a gust of wind. To obviate this, the screw-eyes are turned at an angle as shown to grip the stakes and thereby eliminating any tendency for them to slide on the stake. This manner of gripping the stakes may be utilized also in adjusting the vertical position of the posts I4 with reference to the stakes as shown in Figure 2.

In order to provide suitable head room in the shelter and to enhance its appearance, the central portion of the top 9 may be provided with means such as the ring and ropes or cords 2| may be passed through the ring and stretched between diagonally opposed posts I4. The tautness of these cords acts to raise the center of the top above the top edges of the shelter.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that a simple and desirable shelter has been provided in its preferred form of embodiment. While the present disclosure is quite detailed as to specific features of the invention, it is apparent that skilled persons may readily vary the details of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as claimed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A beach shelter comprising a fabric structure, and means for supporting said structure from the top corners thereof, comprising corner post structures, each of said corner post structures comprising a stake, a post separably engaged Wtih said stake, and means for connecting said fabric structure with said post.

2. A beach shelter comprising a fabric structure, and means for supporting said structure at each corner thereof comprising a stake, a post separably engaged with said stake, and means for separably connecting said fabric structure with said post.

3. In a beach shelter of fabric structure, means for supporting a corner thereof, comprising a stake, and a post separably engaged with said stake, said beach shelter having connection means with said post.

4. In a beach shelter of fabric structure, means for supporting a corner thereof comprising a post, tie-backs on said beach shelter for connection with the post, screw-eyes on said post, and a stake adapted to be engaged by said screw-eyes.

5. In a beach shelter of fabric structure, means for supporting a corner thereof comprising a post, tie-backs on said beach shelter for connec tion with the post, screw-eyes on said post, a stake adapted to be engaged by said screw-eyes, and flange means on said stake for steadying the stake and for supporting said post.

6. Supporting means for a tent comprising a plurality of corner post structures, each of said corner post structures comprising a stake, a post separably engaged with said stake, means for connecting sides of the tent with adjacent posts, suspension members strung between diagonally opposed posts and means for supporting the top of the tent from said suspension members.

SAMUEL S. LEVY. 

